Leo Rautins
Encyclopedia
Leo R. Rautins is a former professional basketball
player, the former head coach of the Canadian national men's basketball team
, and an NBA analyst for the Toronto Raptors
.
Rautins was a star in high school for St. Michael's College School
in Toronto, the University of Minnesota
for his freshman year of college, and Syracuse University
for three seasons, the autumn of 1980 through to the spring of 1983. As a Golden Gopher, Rautins was named first-team All Big-Ten rookie, averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists a game. As a member of the Orangemen, he averaged 12.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 6.2 rebounds. He is the first player ever to record a triple-double in Big East
play, accomplishing the feat twice in the span of a month during his senior year. He was named All Big East third team and Honorable Mention All American that year.
The Rautins was the first Canadian ever drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft going 17th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers
in the 1983 Draft
. He was a disappointment however as an NBA player. Hampered by knee problems, he played in 28 games as a rookie with the Sixers, averaging just 7 minutes a game, 1.5 points, 1 assist, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.7 turnovers. He went on to play 4 games for the Atlanta Hawks
the following season, averaging a mere 3 minutes a contest before leaving the NBA to play in Europe. Rautins played in Italy
for Serie A1 team Banco Roma
(1985–1986) and Serie A2
team Citrosil Verona
(1986–1987), in France
with Pau Orthez
(1989–90 and 1992), and in Spain (1991–92). At the time of his retirement, he had undergone a total of 14 knee operations.
When Rautins made his debut for the Canada senior national team in early 1977 while still age 16, he was the youngest player in the team's history. This record would last until August 2010, when Rautins named Toronto-area high school phenom Kevin Pangos, also 16 but younger than Rautins was at his debut, to the squad for a tour of Italy. Rautins completed his national team playing career in 1992 as Canada was eliminated in the Tournament of the Americas
, the Basketball qualifying tournament for the Barcelona Olympics.
Upon retirement, Rautins became a basketball commentator, most notably with the Toronto Raptors
television network. A member of Canada's Basketball Hall of Fame, he was named head coach
of the Canadian National Team in February, 2005. He resigned from that position in September 2011, after Canada lost to Panama
in the FIBA Americas Tournament. Rautins' son Andy
has followed in his father's footsteps, having been drafted by the New York Knicks
in 2010. Leo and his wife have three other sons.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player, the former head coach of the Canadian national men's basketball team
Canadian national men's basketball team
The Canadian national men's basketball team represents Canada in international basketball competitions. The team is currently ranked 24th by FIBA. Athletes for this team are selected by Canada Basketball...
, and an NBA analyst for the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
.
Rautins was a star in high school for St. Michael's College School
St. Michael's College School
St. Michael's College School is a private, all-boys Roman Catholic day school in Toronto, Canada. Currently administered by the Basilian Fathers, it is the largest school of its kind in Canada, with an enrollment of approximately 1,080 students from grades 7 to 12. St...
in Toronto, the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
for his freshman year of college, and Syracuse University
Syracuse University Orange
The Syracuse Orange is the nickname used by the athletic teams of Syracuse University. The school is a member of NCAA Division I and the Big East Conference. The school's mascot is Otto the Orange. Teams were previously known as the "Orangemen" and "Orangewomen". The men's basketball, football,...
for three seasons, the autumn of 1980 through to the spring of 1983. As a Golden Gopher, Rautins was named first-team All Big-Ten rookie, averaging 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists a game. As a member of the Orangemen, he averaged 12.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 6.2 rebounds. He is the first player ever to record a triple-double in Big East
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...
play, accomplishing the feat twice in the span of a month during his senior year. He was named All Big East third team and Honorable Mention All American that year.
The Rautins was the first Canadian ever drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft going 17th overall to the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
in the 1983 Draft
1983 NBA Draft
The 1983 NBA Draft took place on June 28, 1983 in New York City. A total of 226 players were selected over 10 rounds by the league's 23 teams. At least three players from the 1983 draft now serve as coaches...
. He was a disappointment however as an NBA player. Hampered by knee problems, he played in 28 games as a rookie with the Sixers, averaging just 7 minutes a game, 1.5 points, 1 assist, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.7 turnovers. He went on to play 4 games for the Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are part of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association .-The first years:...
the following season, averaging a mere 3 minutes a contest before leaving the NBA to play in Europe. Rautins played in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
for Serie A1 team Banco Roma
Pallacanestro Virtus Roma
Pallacanestro Virtus Roma, also known for sponsorship reasons as Acea Virtus Roma, is a prominent Italian League professional basketball club, and is also currently one of 13 European clubs that hold ULEB A Licenses, which provide their holders with a guaranteed place in the Euroleague. The club...
(1985–1986) and Serie A2
LegADue
Legadue or Lega2 is the second-highest division of professional club basketball in Italy since 2001-2002 season...
team Citrosil Verona
Scaligera Basket Verona
Scaligera Basket Verona is an Italian basketball club based in Verona, which currently competes in the second-level LegaDue.-History:The "Scaligera" was first formed in Verona in 1951 and in the nineties reached the Italian top league, where played 10 years gaining respect and trophies both in...
(1986–1987), in France
Ligue Nationale de Basketball
The Ligue National de Basket is the top men's French professional basketball league. There are two divisions: French Pro A League and French Pro B League .-Pro A:...
with Pau Orthez
Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez
The Élan Béarnais Pau-Orthez is a French professional basketball club that is based in Pau. They play their home games at the Palais des Sports de Pau.- History :...
(1989–90 and 1992), and in Spain (1991–92). At the time of his retirement, he had undergone a total of 14 knee operations.
When Rautins made his debut for the Canada senior national team in early 1977 while still age 16, he was the youngest player in the team's history. This record would last until August 2010, when Rautins named Toronto-area high school phenom Kevin Pangos, also 16 but younger than Rautins was at his debut, to the squad for a tour of Italy. Rautins completed his national team playing career in 1992 as Canada was eliminated in the Tournament of the Americas
FIBA Americas Championship
The FIBA Americas Championship is the name commonly used to refer to the American Basketball Championship that take place every two years between national teams of the continents...
, the Basketball qualifying tournament for the Barcelona Olympics.
Upon retirement, Rautins became a basketball commentator, most notably with the Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors are a professional basketball team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was established in 1995, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, as part of the NBA's re-expansion...
television network. A member of Canada's Basketball Hall of Fame, he was named head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Canadian National Team in February, 2005. He resigned from that position in September 2011, after Canada lost to Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
in the FIBA Americas Tournament. Rautins' son Andy
Andy Rautins
Andrew Jay "Andy" Rautins is a , 205 lbs. guard for the New York Knicks of the NBA. He was born in Syracuse, New York. He is a Canadian citizen and played for the Syracuse Orange and Canadian Men's National Basketball team...
has followed in his father's footsteps, having been drafted by the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
in 2010. Leo and his wife have three other sons.